Mute

Chapter 18

The way to finally encounter Eri was treacherous, with shifting walls and villains separating heroes from each other. He felt his heart stop when Shouta was nearly taken away through a wall, before Fat Gum and Red Riot dove in to protect him.

The moving walls, caused by a villain named Mimic, began attempting to wall off the heroes, slowing them down significantly. Lemillion went on ahead, the room now beginning to shrink in on them.

Hizashi's eyes widened as he saw Shouta and Deku get separated from the rest of the group.

SHIT!!

The group began running faster, Hizashi warning everyone to plug their ears before whistling loud enough to crumble the walls until they reached the group. Toga, from the League of villains, was restrained on the floor by Shouta. He was bleeding from his back from a knife wound. Making eye contact with Hizashi, he shook his head slowly, seeing the instant rage in his eyes from that.

"Don't." Shouta mouthed, wincing as he returned back to them and over to one of the remaining police officers.

"Get Rock Lock somewhere safe, we need to keep going. I'll be fine, He's in worse shape than me. The league of villains is in here now, Mimic allowed them in."

As he said it, two villains popped out from the walls. Twice, and some weirdly buff Yakuza guy. Sir Nighteye took care of them immediately with a seal, leading the rest of the group to move on closer to Eri.

Shouta and Deku managed to catch a glimpse of Mimic, Deku jumping up to break apart the ceiling with a kick. Sir Nighteye threw another seal causing him to fall to the floor in defeat, the drugs he had used now wearing off.

The group kept running, having been diminished to just four. Deku, Shouta, Nighteye, and Hizashi kept following the floor plans for what felt like an eternity. Fighting sounds were now audible through the walls. Deku smashed through, opening up a view of a terrifying scene. Blood was everywhere, Lemillion having multiple wounds covering his whole body. Eri was now visible, hiding beneath Lemillion's torn cape.

I have no idea if the aiming will even work but...

Hizashi barely hesitated before whistling as high pitched as he could, Shouta running forward and cancelling Overhaul's quirk as Deku ran to confront him too. They had all been given earplugs just in case it went wrong.

Shouta dove forward, grabbing Eri away as the ceiling and structures that Overhaul formed crumbled and broke apart. Deku rushed Lemillion to safety, then returning to fight Overhaul alongside Nighteye.

Shouta brought Eri to Hizashi.

"Get her out of here. You're the least injured of everyone. Run."

He nodded, scooping up Eri and sprinting to the exit, smiling softly at her to hide his terror.

"No... He'll kill them. We need to go back, mister, this is- It's all my fault."
It hurt Hizashi to not be able to say anything back.

"Please..."

He heard Overhaul yelling, too loud for comfort. It was nothing but manipulation towards Eri.

Hizashi looked into her desperate eyes, feeling tears prick his. He held Eri closer, doing his best to remember the layout of the building.

"Don't listen to him. He's lying to you."

"I don't want this..." Eri whispered between sobs, squeezing Hizashi's arms. The ground shook and anguished screams crept behind them. He started whistling a soft, gentle song to distract her from all the noise. She seemed to relax, just a little bit.

Hizashi felt his stomach growing more and more nauseous, both from the hangover and pure terror. He felt the tears stream down his face, but he kept whistling. For Eri.

"They're all going to die-" Eri whispered, once they reached the exit. "He'll kill them, they can't win."

Hizashi wished to the world that he could say something to her.

Shouta'll make it okay. He can't hurt anyone if Shouta's there, right?

The daylight shone incredibly brightly, making Hizashi flinch as his headache got incredibly worse.

The street seemed to explode shortly after, Overhaul being blasted into the sky. Deku had shot him up, Shouta carrying Nighteye in his arms and keeping a sharp glare on Overhaul. He made sure to shield Eri's eyes from view of the scene. Nighteye had a huge stone chunk stabbed through the center of his stomach.

He brought her to a safe location, protected by heroes. Hizashi kneeled down, but to his surprise, Eri never let go of him.

"Mic... Good job getting her."

He turned to face Nemuri, who was about to run into the fight.
Hizashi nodded, giving a pained smile.

"Keep Shouta safe for me."

Hizashi looked up at the battle, seeing Deku manage to keep Overhaul in the hair, Shouta handing Nighteye over to Uravity and heading back into the fight. Deku saw Nemuri approach and slammed Overhaul to the ground. She put him to sleep instantly, leaving an eerie silence.

Hizashi crumpled to the ground, sighing as he sat, still holding Eri in his lap. He whistled a different tune, keeping his focus on her now.

"Why..?" She whispered, looking up at Hizashi as he whistled, still shaking. "Why'd you do this for me... When he-" She choked on tears, not able to finish.

"I'd do it for anyone. We all would."

"You can't..?" She started, Hizashi nodding to her. He took a hand away and clicked off his speaker, setting it next to him so his neck was visible. She blinked, saying nothing.

"You got hurt too. I'm.. I'm sorry... Mic?"

He smiled softly, trying to keep up his cheery face for just a little while longer.
"We're both okay now. That's all that matters."

The police restrained Overhaul and put him in some kind of van. That was the last he saw of him before turning his focus to Shouta, who was now running towards them with a limp and a trail of blood.

Eri saw Hizashi light up, turning to the approaching man.

"Thank you..."

Shouta smiled, kneeling down next to them and hugging Hizashi from the side.

"You look horrible."

"They told me that anyone injured needs to go to the hospital. I have to go. They wanted to see Eri there too, to make sure she's okay. You should take her."

Hizashi nodded, watching Shouta go.
"Take my car if they don't offer you a ride," He said, tossing Hizashi the keys. He pocketed them, grabbing his speaker and clicking it back on with one hand.

"You'll be okay. Forever, now." Hizashi promised, standing up and following Shouta.